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Contact

Download a PDF of this CV

Tech Stack

R
SQL
Git / SCM
Bash
Shiny
HTML
CSS

Skills

Scientific research
Data wrangling / ETL
Data visualisation
Statistical analysis
Reporting
Modelling

Research Papers

Please see my Google Scholar page for a full list of my research papers.

Disclaimer

Made in R with pagedown. Source code available here.

Main

Dr Shelly Lachish

Motivated, successful data scientist with experience in both industry and academia. Expertise in the management, analysis, interpretation and presentation of large, complex data. Effective and collaborative communicator. Highly proficient in technical writing, with strong organisational and project management skills. Adaptable, meticulous, creative and curious.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Disease Ecology.

School of Biological Sciences

University of Queensland

2010 - 2005

BSc (Hons). Ecology/Zoology (1st class)

Department of Zoology and Entomology

University of Queensland

1999 - 1995

Career Summary

Data Analyst

UK Biobank

University of Oxford

current - 2019

  • Provide statistical and analytical expertise to researchers, UKBiobank epidemiologists and database administrators.
  • Develop software and applications to query databases, automate reporting, produce visualisations, and perform statisical analyses.
  • Build ETL data pipelines to import disparate electronic health records into the UK Biobank databases.
  • Work with database administrators to validate and ensure data quality and integrity.

Daphne Jackson Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department of Zoology

University of Oxford

2019 - 2017

  • Conducted original research on topics in ecology, population dynamics, infectious disease.
  • Managed, analysed, and interpreted large data sets using cutting-edge statistical and modelling methods.
  • Published and presented papers at conferences and meetings.
  • Supervised graduate and postgraduate students.

Research Analyst

Medical Careers Research Group

University of Oxford

2017 - 2015

  • Published scientific papers and government reports using data from the 40-year UK Medical Careers survey.
  • Developed and maintained data pipelines for processing and analysing survey data.

Science Writer and Editor

Freelance

Oxford, UK

2017 - 2011

  • Writing for: Oxford Science Blog, Living Spain Magazine, 72&Rising, Sabotage Times
  • Editing for Oxford Science Editing, Edanz, private clients.

Policy Writer

Mathematical Ecology Research Group

University of Oxford

2013

  • Researched policies for regulating genetically modified organisms.
  • Produced policy brief for members of DEFRA.

NERC Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department of Zoology

University of Oxford

2012 - 2010

  • Research areas: ecology, evolution, population dynamics, infectious disease dynamics.
  • Analysed, interpreted complex data sets using varied statistical modelling methods.
  • Published scientific papers and presented research at conferences and meetings.
  • Supervised graduate and postgraduate students.

Teaching Experience

Programming in R with the Tidyverse

Big Data Institute

University of Oxford

2022

Introduction to Text Mining in R (online course)

Big Data Institute

University of Oxford

2021

Stipendiary Biology Tutor

St Hilda’s College

University of Oxford

2019 - 2018

  • Taught ecology, statistics, epidemiology, conservation, genetics

DPhil Supervisor

Department of Zoology

University of Oxford

2012 - 2010

  • Surpervised: Dr Irem Sepil and Dr Antica Culina

Grants and Awards

Daphne Jackson Postdoctoral Fellowship (GBP £82,000)

Department of Zoology

University of Oxford

2017

NERC Urgency Grant (GBP £60,000)

Department of Zoology

University of Oxford

2011

Ian Potter Research Grant (AUD $130,000)

School of Zoology

University of Tasmania

2008

Wildlife Disease Association Doctoral Student Award (Value AUD $5,000)

Wildlife Disease Association

Colorado, USA

2007

Australian Wildlife Society Grant (Value $1,500)

School of Biological Sciences

University of Queensland

2005

Australian Postgraduate Award ($50,000)

School of Biological Sciences

University of Queensland

2005

Invited Seminars

“Wildlife Disease Ecology: from individuals to populations and beyond”

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Montpelier, France

2018

“Understanding an infectious cancer”

Big Data Institute

University of Oxford

2018

“The curious case of the disappearing devil” (Steve Irwin Memorial Lecture)

University of Queensland

Brisbane, Australia

2011

“Disease impacts on wild populations”

Zoological Society of London

London, UK

2011

Professional Service

Commitee member: BDI Coding Committee

Big Data Institute

University of Oxford

current - 2019

British Ecological Society member

N/A

London, UK

2020 - 2011

Commitee member: Early Career Researcher Network

Department of Zoology

University of Oxford

2019 - 2017

Volunteering

Volunteer display and event interpreter

Oxford Natural History Museum

Oxford, UK

2014 - 2011

Volunteer science interpreter

Big Bang Science Fair

London, UK

2014

Media

My research has been reported in these media outlets:

TV: George Negus at 6:30, Totally Wild, Radio: BBC Oxford, ABC, 4QR, Print: Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, Sunday Mail

N/A

2019 - 2008